Canada in 2017 ~ Why to Make THIS the Year You Visit

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Canada is a pretty happening place these days. This vast, friendly country is rolling out the red carpet for the world’s visitors to celebrate its 150th birthday. Come experience the beauty of this nation’s landscape and the warmth of its people this year. Here are 10 reasons to visit Canada in 2017.

1. It’s Canada’s 150th birthday!

There will be sesquicentennial festivities both big and small in every city, town and village across the Great White North. Canada’s 150th birthday festivities kicked off in nationwide celebrations on New Year’s Eve 2016. Canadians will continue to celebrate the country’s multicultural diversity, youth, first nations, and natural beauty all year. The biggest celebration of all will take place in the nation’s capital of Ottawa on July 1, Canada Day.

2. The American Dollar and the Euro are worth more in Canada in 2017.

The exchange rate is definitely in favor of visitors to Canada in 2017 from the United States and Europe. It’s as if Canada is having a 30 percent sale on of everything in the country! That means visitors can do a whole lot more while spending less.

3. Get free National Parks entrance in Canada in 2017.

More than 45 Canadian National Parks will be free to visitors in 2017. That even includes the big daddies, Banff and Jasper. If you want to camp in the National Parks you’ll still need to reserve and pay for campsites. Day visits, though, are gratis to residents and visitors in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday.

Enjoy the peace and beautiful of Canada’s National Parks for free in 2017 (Photo credit: Parks Canada)

4. Montreal turns 375!

Not only is it a big year for Canada, but also our second largest city – Montreal – is celebrating the 375th anniversary of its founding. The largest French-speaking city in North America is already known as a festival city. This year, the city has planned even more special celebrations to mark this momentous event.

Old Montreal will be the heart of many of the city’s 375th anniversary celebrations (Photo credit: Tourism Montreal)

5. Taste Canada’s cuisine this year.

Have you tried poutine in Quebec? Butter tarts in Ontario? Or Nanaimo bars in British Columbia? If none of these foods sound familiar, then Canada’s cuisine is the perfect reason to visit now and give them a try. Canada excels at its regional cuisine, so you’ll enjoy unique, delicious foods in whichever part of the country you visit.

The magic sweetness of the humble Canadian butter tart. (Photo credit: Dinner With Julie)

6. We speak your language.

The official languages of Canada are English and French. That means you can communicate comfortably during your visit. Even in French-speaking Quebec, most residents can converse in English. In every city, there are people from around the world, so you may be able to speak Italian, Spanish, Mandarin or Punjabi too.

Canadians are a friendly and multilingual bunch (Photo credit: Pixabay)

7. Natural beauty abounds in Canada every year.

Canada is a land of awe-inspiring natural wonder. It’s surrounded by oceans on three sides, and is filled with fresh air, rivers and lakes. The prairies, woods, and mountain ranges host a wide variety of animals and plant species, including bears, cougars, elk, bald eagles and beavers. You don’t have to drive far to spend time in nature or camp in Canada, and that’s just how we Canadians like it.

8. See the Northern Lights.

If viewing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, plan a visit to the Yukon or Northwest Territories to view the magnificent natural Aurora Borealis. It’s a once in a lifetime experience. For best viewing, plan to visit between August and April.

Experience the beauty of the Aurora Borealis in Canada’s North (Photo credit: Pixabay)

9. “Come from away” in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Newfoundland and Labrador is the furthest east of all Canadian provinces. This region is also particularly warm to those who “come from away” (a.k.a. visitors). The exceptionally welcoming nature of Newfoundlanders is celebrated in the about-to-hit Broadway play Come From Away.

10. Lonely Planet chose Canada as its #1 destination pick for 2017.

Canadians are a humble people, so who are we to argue with Lonely Planet? The publication chose Canada as its number one destination pick for travelers in 2017. Indeed, Canada is putting on quite the countrywide party to welcome visitors from around the world this year. Do you want to be among them?

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About Claudia Laroye, The Curious Travel Mama

Claudia Laroye lives in Vancouver, Canada, with her husband and two sons (ages 18 and 20). She started travelling at a very young age, and has never stopped. She’s had the fortune of visiting more than 20 countries on four continents, and has also lived abroad in Sweden. Claudia is passionate about family travel and about educating children through the travel experience. She is the author of the thetravellingmom.ca, and contributes to many online and print media publications. Connect with Claudia on Twitter as @travelling_mom.

Hi there! I'm Colleen Lanin, the founder of Travel Mamas. I launched this family travel blog in 2009 to help parents better connect with their kids and the world through travel and beyond. I love being a mom, traveling, swimming in fabulous hotel pools, and doing Pilates so I can eat lots of gluten-free dessert. Click on the pic to learn more about moi!